Vincent wins 16th Suffolk District Democratic primary

The four contenders to fill the 16th Suffolk District House seat were narrowed down to two in Tuesday's primary, with RoseLee Vincent of Revere winning the Democratic nomination.

By Martha Shanahan

The four contenders to fill the 16th Suffolk District House seat were narrowed down to two in Tuesday's primary election, with RoseLee Vincent of Revere winning the Democratic nomination.

Unofficial tallies show Vincent won the Democratic state representative primary with 58.17 percent of the Saugus vote — 89 total votes from town residents — against former Revere City Councilor and School Committee member Linda Rosa and Joshua Monahan, a Chelsea lawyer. She received 1,154 votes district-wide, to Rosa’s 614 and Monahan’s 504.

Only 5.28 percent of Saugus’ registered voters – a total of 180 people – turned out for the special primary. Monahan drew 46 votes and Rosa received 18.

“I am very honored about tonight’s big win,” Vincent said. “I’m grateful to so many family, friends and city officials who dedicated their time, energy and efforts to the success of my campaign. We are looking to build on today’s momentum to ensure victory in April.”

Vincent has carried her campaign for the seat with an emphasis on her experience in the State House advocating for environmental issues and snagged the endorsements of several key district figures, including Revere Mayor Dan Rizzo. She was a longtime chief of staff to Kathi-Anne Reinstein, the former 16th District state representative, as well as Reinstein’s late father William Reinstein.

The 16th Suffolk District includes Precincts 3 and 10 in Saugus as well as parts of Chelsea and Revere.

Vincent will face the Republican nominee, Todd Taylor of Chelsea, in a special election April 1.

Taylor, who ran unopposed in the primary, garnered 26 votes in the two Saugus precincts.

The winner will fill the seat left vacant after Revere Democrat Kathi-Anne Reinstein resigned in January after 15 years in the State House to take a job as a government affairs manager for the Boston Beer Co.

Monahan thanked his family, friends and supporters for all of their help and encouragement over the past two months.

“I worked to shake hands and talk to as many voters as I could in Chelsea, Revere and Saugus and spread my message of being a strong voice for our families and communities at the State House,” Monahan said. “Chelsea, Revere, and Saugus voters took the time to come out on a cold March day – taking pride in the democratic process and engaging in this fast-paced special primary. As a first-time candidate for public office, the learning curve was steep, but the lessons learned will help me as I continue to be an advocate for public safety along the North Shore.”